it takes two

🏆

9.6/10

TLDR: It Takes Two is the ultimate co-op experience, blending diverse gameplay, stunning visuals, and teamwork-driven challenges, though its human character design and pacing may not appeal to everyone.

Reviewed by: 🐯 Alokin (Advanced Gamer) & 🐺 Oceanwolv (Casual Gamer)

OVERVIEW

Price: $40
Our playtime: 40+ hours
Coop style: Couch, Local
Where to buy: Playstation Network

About: Embark on the wildest duo journey in It Takes Two. Work together across a huge variety of game play styles and challenges to help this couple resolve their differences.

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✅ pros

ALOKIN

• Loads of variety in gameplay

• Pure co-op game

• Beautiful visuals and styles of art

OCEANWOLV

• Immersive 3D world

• Gameplay beyond basic controls

• Puzzle-based challenges

❌ cons

ALOKIN

• Main characters were strange

• Uncanny valley design

• Voice-acting was ‘okay’

OCEANWOLV

• Technology of human graphics aged

• Story can get boring after awhile

• In-game character clashed tonally

🤼🏽 co-op ability: 10/10

(how well the game supports teamwork and collaboration between players)

ALOKIN’S RATING: 10/10

This is a rare gem of game. You cannot complete or play this game solo which I love. The way they incorporate the co-op is damn near perfect. The ability to strategize together, team puzzles, different skills and abilities, timing, everything you want when building that teamwork muscle with your duo. It’s a thing of beauty. There might not be a better game when it comes to this.

OCEANWOLV’S RATING: 10/10

A true co-op game, with the split screen enabling both players to complete separate tasks in order to progress in the game. This is the best co-op game, truly ever made so far! You will not complete the game if you do not have each other. This game requires communication, timing, collaboration, different skillsets, and trust with each other.

🎨 production quality: 9/10

(the design, artwork, components, and overall craft of the game's materials)

ALOKIN’S RATING: 8/10

Beautiful variety across the board from all the styles, to the intentional artwork changes, UI, and details for each level. The puzzles were incredibly fun but didn’t seem out of reach. The levels are built for casuals and advanced. The only thing that made this not a perfect score is the character design of the real people felt very uncanny valley and ‘fake’ - and the book was a little annoying sometimes.

OCEANWOLV’S RATING: 10/10

This game is the most beautiful, intricate, and detailed 3D experience I have ever had. No character outfits, but the storyline is heartfelt and the world building is absolutely innovative, let alone the gameplay itself. The only design flaw is the human graphics, but the technology remains a groundbreaking milestone in the co-op gaming history.

🎮 gameplay mechanics: 9.5/10

(the game's rules, flow, balance, and how engaging and intuitive the gameplay feels)

ALOKIN’S RATING: 9/10

As you level through, there is a multitude of mini-games that are nostalgic and reminiscent of each genre. RPG, ARPG, Fighting, Beat’em up and even Racing! There is literally something for every style and creates moments where each player can complement one another using their natural perspective on how to play games. And they nailed the gameplay for each genre, stunning.

OCEANWOLV’S RATING: 10/10

The game is intuitive and engaging, following a linear story of a married couple on the verge of divorce who must work together for their child. An in-game character guides the couple through this journey, providing objectives for every challenge they need to overcome. This gameplay is helpful for casual gamers but may feel slow for avid gamers.

🤩 overall fun: 10/10

(how enjoyable and entertaining the game is for immediate play and long-term re-playability)

ALOKIN’S RATING: 10/10

This game is one to be studied in how well they blended all these styles and managed to create a cohesive, fun, and interesting game. The storyline was also unique and makes the game really fun. The levels were appropriate for casuals and those advanced gamers which never held back the pacing of the game and never too difficult for me to feel like I wanted to put the controller down.

OCEANWOLV’S RATING: 10/10

It Takes Two is the ultimate co-op game! All of the challenges will test you and your person’s critical thinking, patience, and coordination as a team. Puzzles, platforming, mini-games, boss battles, environmental interaction, co-op mechanics, and physics-based tasks await! A must-play, even if re-playability is low after completing the story.

TIPS TO START

(helpful insights as you begin the game)

ALOKIN’S

• This game is pretty easy to start up and just start playing so there isn’t many tips I can help provide for starting other than if you’re playing on two different Steam accounts, you can use the feature where you only need one copy of the game and you both can play!

• As new game-styles present themselves, communicate, communicate, communicate. This game relies completely on talking (and sometimes arguing lol) so make sure to talk things through.

OCEANWOLV’S

• It doesn’t matter which character you choose.

• The game is immersive, so always look around to figure out what to do next.

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